THE RUNDOWN
The DBU Patriots (34-13, 17-5 CUSA) pummeled the Kennesaw State Owls (25-23, 14-7 CUSA) in seven innings Saturday afternoon at Horner Ballpark. Patriot starter James Ellwanger fired his first career Quality Start, going six innings and allowing two runs. Ellwanger struck out eight and only allowed one hit.
The Owls scratched two runs across in the top of the first, but the DBU offense responded with a five-spot. Grant Jay, Chayton Krauss, and Adam Berghult each smacked RBI doubles in the first to pick up their starter.
In the bottom of the second, Grant Jay launched his 17th home run of the season over the right-center field wall, making it 6-2 Patriots after two.
Ellwanger settled in nicely after the rocky first inning, not allowing another hit for the rest of his outing.
Both sides were held scoreless until the bottom of the fifth, when Grant Jay ripped a two-out, RBI double to the right-center gap.
DBU's onslaught continued in the bottom of the sixth when Chayton Krauss sneezed a 348-foot solo shot over the right field wall. Adam Berghult later punched a two-out, RBI single through the left side to make it 9-2 Pats after six.
Rian Schwede relieved Ellwanger in the seventh and tossed a clean inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, DBU loaded the bases for Ben Tryon, who worked a four-pitch walk. Michael Dattalo then drove in run number 11 on a groundout, setting the table for Adam Berghult's "walk-off" single. The Pats took game two of the series by a score of 12-2.
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- DBU honored Cody Grebeck, Luke Heefner, Nathan Humphreys, Tyler Schott, and Rian Schwede pregame for Senior Day.
- James Ellwanger matched Ryan Borberg's Quality Start from yesterday, throwing six innings and allowing two runs.
- Chayton Krauss has three home runs so far on the weekend.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
200Â - Nathan Humphreys became the sixth player in DBU history to make 200 starts in a career this afternoon.
50 - Grant Jay's RBI double in the bottom of the first extended his on-base streak to 50 games.
6Â - Six innings of work is a new career-high for James Ellwanger.
ON DECK
The Patriots wrap up their weekend set with Kennesaw State following Saturday afternoon's win. Mason Peters (2-1 W-L, 5.33 ERA) will deliver Sunday's first pitch at 1:05 pm.
